Steampunk Batman. Gotham by Gaslight could present a Victorian take on the popular superhero’s adventures

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In a nutshell, Rocksteady Studios, through their Batman: Arkham series, not only set the standard for how Batman’s interactive adventures should be portrayed, but also paved the way for creating exceptional superhero games in general. However, many people may not realize that there was another potential adaptation of Bruce Wayne’s nocturnal alter ego, one that could have been equally impressive and undeniably atmospheric. We’re referring to a forgotten project called Gotham by Gaslight, which was conceptualized in 2009-2010 and still has the power to spark creativity.

Victorian Gotham and Batman

As a gamer, I’d say, “Let me kick things off by sharing some insights about the early stages of ‘Gotham by Gaslight’. Way back in 1989, a comic entitled ‘Gotham by Gaslight’ hit the shelves, penned by Brian Augustyn and beautifully illustrated by Mike Mignola. This tale spun an alternate yarn about Bruce Wayne’s escapades, transporting us to a Gotham City that echoed the grandeur of Victorian-era London.

In this alternate interpretation, Batman confronted the infamous Jack the Ripper within his protected metropolis, where he was lurking for potential victims. This comic book, regarded as the initial DC Elseworlds tale, offered a captivating twist on familiar heroes. Apart from Batman, it also presented a distinct Commissioner Gordon and hinted at possible incarnations of The Joker.

Within the enthusiastic audience of the comic book, Gotham by Gaslight, developers from American Day 1 Studios were included. These creators envisioned transforming it into a game and crafted a prototype in their pursuit. However, they encountered an obstacle when attempting to gain approval from THQ (distinct from THQ Nordic), ultimately resulting in the project being terminated.

As for how it transpired, we’re still in the dark about it. However, Screen Rant speculates that the reason THQ couldn’t move forward with the Batman project was due to difficulties in obtaining the rights to the Batman brand from Warner Bros. It remains a mystery whether financial constraints or doubts about the potential of the virtual Gotham by Gaslight were the primary concerns. It’s also possible that Warner Bros. felt that the Day 1 Studios team lacked sufficient experience to tackle a project of such magnitude.

Early gameplay

Even though the virtual production Gotham by Gaslight was ultimately cancelled, its creators had already prepared some materials that offer us a glimpse into what this project might have been like. Specifically, there’s gameplay footage from a tech demo that shows Batman traversing the gritty Victorian streets of Gotham City. One particularly striking feature is the remarkably lifelike cape physics, which rivals that seen in the Batman: Arkham series.

As a devoted fan, I too marvel at how Batman gracefully leaps from rooftop to rooftop and stealthily maneuvers around the city, tactics he likely employs against his foes. Regrettably, we haven’t been privy to those epic battles – perhaps due to the lack of technology that could capture them effectively. Towards the video’s close, we even get a sneak peek at an alternate Batman suit, this one without the iconic cape.

Batman’s retrofuturistic gadgets

A glimpse into the potential outcomes of the project has been provided, courtesy of concept art by Julie Farrell, the artist involved in its creation. In a blog post on her website (as shared by Twinfinite), she offers this insight.

This game, with its intriguing steampunk theme, was something I eagerly anticipated developing. Regrettably, it turned out to be merely a proposal. Nevertheless, crafting the menus for this game was an enjoyable experience, as the steampunk aesthetic is distinctively fascinating (…). From scratch, I designed the bat logo and incorporated various clockwork elements and other metallic pieces in its construction.

Concept art offers insights beyond initial observation. For instance, it suggests Batman carries an array of tools, hinted by the presence of a weapon control button. Though we can’t definitively identify every gadget, there’s speculation about grenades (which could be launched using the left trigger) and healing items (potentially activated with the D-pad) among them.

Examining the schematic for the potential control setup, it’s also worth noting that Batman could activate… a light source. Even though Gotham was illuminated by gas lamps, as a millionaire, Bruce Wayne would likely have the means to utilize cutting-edge technology. By the 19th century, humanity had already begun to tap into electricity and discover new ways to use it. Therefore, we can assume that the light source would be one of the advanced (for its time) devices.

Premature end of Victorian Batman

Regrettably, after conducting preliminary trials, the Day 1 Studios team found it necessary to abandon the project’s development and shift their attention elsewhere. Eventually, the project was assumed by Wargaming and rebranded as Wargaming Chicago-Baltimore.

Is it possible we might witness a film adaptation of Gotham by Gaslight in the future? Although there’s no indication at present, it doesn’t mean we should completely give up hope. Perhaps Warner Bros. may come to realize that they’ve explored all aspects of the contemporary Batman and decide to delve into their archives for a fresh find like Gotham by Gaslight.

Given that the company has previously produced such content in another format – specifically, an animated film was developed in 2018, serving as an adaptation of Gotham by Gaslight. In the meantime, enthusiasts of Batman find themselves either revisiting one of the games from the Batman: Arkham series or anxiously awaiting news regarding the next game to be released by Rocksteady Studios.

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2025-05-18 22:02